Hypoglycemic effect of gelatin microspheres with entrapped insulin and protease inhibitor in normal and diabetic rats

Insulin containing gelatin microspheres (IGM) with and without soyabean trypsin inhibitor (TI) were pre-pared and coated with enteric polymers to protect them from degradation in stomach and to release the insulin upon reaching the intestine. Four types of coated IGM were prepared: (i) IGM coated with natural polymers (chitosan inner coat-alginate outer coat), (ii) IGM-TI coated with cellulose acetate phthalate; (iii) IGM-TI coated with cellulose acetate butyrate, and (iv) IGM-TI coated with natural polymers (chitosan inner coat-alginate outer coat). The protective efficiency of uncoated and four types of coated microspheres to-ward digestive enzymes such as pepsin and trypsin was evaluated under simulated physiological conditions. The microspheres were characterized for their insulin content and particle size. The morphology of the micro-spheres was studied using scanning electron micros-copy. The in vitro release studies of insulin from uncoated and coated microspheres indicated that the release followed a zero-order pattern, prolonging for 6 days from 2 days in the case of uncoated spheres. The uncoated and coated microspheres containing insulin (20 IU/kg) were orally administered to albino Wistar rats by stomach tube, and insulin absorption was evaluated by assessing the hypoglycemic effect in normal and diabetic rats. A significant and continuous hypoglycemic effect was observed in diabetic rats following oral administration of coated IGM containing TI when compared to the effect following administration of coated IGM without TI.     

Trehalose-Induced Activation of Autophagy Improves Cardiac Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction

Background

Trehalose (TRE) is a natural, nonreducing disaccharide synthesized by lower organisms. TRE exhibits an extraordinary ability to protect cells against different kinds of stresses through activation of autophagy. However, the effect of TRE on the heart during stress has never been tested.

Distribution of Thallium and Lead in Children’s Blood

? Mean whole blood concentrations for lead and thallium were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis for children residing in Newark, NJ. Frequency distributions for the various concentration ranges for both metals were recorded. There is no noticeable correlation between the lead and thallium content of whole blood, which suggests that exposure to and/or absorption of these substances are different.